Just in Time for Xmas: Lego Terrorists, Nazis

Company customizes brick figures—without permission

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Dec 4, 2008 12:47 PM CST

(Newser) – Ripping off a toy classic and tossing in al-Qaeda and Nazi themes just in time for Christmas might not seem like the best marketing strategy, reports the Sun, and sure enough, Jews and Muslims alike aren't happy. BrickArms has outfitted Lego figurines as al-Qaeda terrorists and Nazi soldiers, brandishing assault rifles, grenades, and rocket launchers. A Jewish leader complains the “distasteful” products add to tensions, while a Muslim leader calls them “absolutely disgusting.”

Lego has washed its hands of the controversy, saying it has nothing to do with the $14 figures and that the company “is committed to developing toys which enrich childhood.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

A Jewish civil-rights group condemned the toymaker for a Nazi Lego figure it is selling. (BrickArms)

The masked terrorist has a rocket launcher, grenades, and an assault rifle. (BrickArms)

The toys are made by BrickArms, which specializes in Lego-compatible weapons. Lego UK says it doesn't endorse the products. (BrickArms)

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We should be coming together to unite against terrorism, but how is that possible when children are playing with toys like this?
- Mohammed Shaffiq,
The Ramadhan Foundation

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Just in Time for Xmas: Lego Terrorists, Nazis